RESERVE intro copy (this was old Wildlife intro - needs amending
The combination of habitats at Tuckmill gives rise to a wide variety of flora and, in turn, a huge number of fauna. To the north-west is Tuckmill's meadow, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because its calcarious habitat is very unusual in the region with some unusual species living there. The other SSSI is the fenland at the base of the site. This marshland provides a wonderful environment for the reserve's most stunning plant, the Southern Marsh Orchid as well as the unusual Ragged Robin and Adder’s Tongue Fern.
The combination of habitats at Tuckmill gives rise to a wide variety of flora and, in turn, a huge number of fauna. To the north-west is Tuckmill's meadow, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because its calcarious habitat is very unusual in the region with some unusual species living there. The other SSSI is the fenland at the base of the site. This marshland provides a wonderful environment for the reserve's most stunning plant, the Southern Marsh Orchid as well as the unusual Ragged Robin and Adder’s Tongue Fern.
WINTER 2022-23 ACTIVITY AT TUCKMILL MEADOWS
At the end of the summer there were preparations that needed to be carried out ready for the next year. The orchids had developed their seed pods containing thousands of seeds had scattered. Both west and east patches were scythed to allow the late summer air to wash over the ground.
With the winter came the frosts and friends of Tuckmill (FoT) volunteers used the clear, cold days to scythe the areas around the site in a rotational, chequerboard pattern. The winter also brought the floods and parts of the northern marsh area were underwater. Flooding by Tuckmill Bridge gave a perfect example of why the large stepping stones (see photo below) were put in place hundreds of years ago.
At the end of the summer there were preparations that needed to be carried out ready for the next year. The orchids had developed their seed pods containing thousands of seeds had scattered. Both west and east patches were scythed to allow the late summer air to wash over the ground.
With the winter came the frosts and friends of Tuckmill (FoT) volunteers used the clear, cold days to scythe the areas around the site in a rotational, chequerboard pattern. The winter also brought the floods and parts of the northern marsh area were underwater. Flooding by Tuckmill Bridge gave a perfect example of why the large stepping stones (see photo below) were put in place hundreds of years ago.
The drainage lake at the new Cross Trees development (photo above), at the west end of the reserve, has filled up rapidly with the rains. This has resulted in more water filtering down through the little stream that divides west and east meadows. The dam put in by FoT volunteers showed that it works well by holding the flow of water back, thus slowing it down, and creating pools that can be used by birds and animals. It is planned to put in two more dams, a construction job later this year for the local cub-scout group.
As we go into Spring the next two displays to look forward to are the cowslips that will appear in their hundreds later in March, followed soon after by the marsh marigolds. The ground has been scythed and suitably prepared for the best displays.
Words and photos by Neil B Maw March 2023
As we go into Spring the next two displays to look forward to are the cowslips that will appear in their hundreds later in March, followed soon after by the marsh marigolds. The ground has been scythed and suitably prepared for the best displays.
Words and photos by Neil B Maw March 2023
WILDLIFE
FRIENDS OF TUCKMILL INCREASE SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHID POPULATION
A rare plant found at Tuckmill is the southern marsh orchid which grows largely along the upper reaches of Ratcoombe Brook. Discover how Friends of Tuckmill (FoT) are helping it thrive.
FRIENDS OF TUCKMILL INCREASE SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHID POPULATION
A rare plant found at Tuckmill is the southern marsh orchid which grows largely along the upper reaches of Ratcoombe Brook. Discover how Friends of Tuckmill (FoT) are helping it thrive.
LATEST NEWS
LAUNCH OF ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
While funding from a housing development in Shrivenham will help deliver major upgrades to the reserve, Friends of Tuckmill relies upon donations from the community to cover running costs. Find out how you can help keep us going.
LAUNCH OF ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
While funding from a housing development in Shrivenham will help deliver major upgrades to the reserve, Friends of Tuckmill relies upon donations from the community to cover running costs. Find out how you can help keep us going.
WILDLIFE
DISCOVER ABUNDANT AQUATIC ANIMALS
FoT aim to protect the aquatic animals that about at Tuckmill including a variety of newt types, frogs, otters and water vole. Check out our latest water vole survey as well as videos of otters.
DISCOVER ABUNDANT AQUATIC ANIMALS
FoT aim to protect the aquatic animals that about at Tuckmill including a variety of newt types, frogs, otters and water vole. Check out our latest water vole survey as well as videos of otters.
SPECIES RECORDING
HELP US RECORD HOW WE'RE DOING
Species recording is vital for us to check on our progress in restoring the nature reserve and to inform regional and national records. Find out how you can record what you see and hear while you're at Tuckmill.
HELP US RECORD HOW WE'RE DOING
Species recording is vital for us to check on our progress in restoring the nature reserve and to inform regional and national records. Find out how you can record what you see and hear while you're at Tuckmill.
BECOME INVOLVED
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY OUT SCYTHING OR RAKING?
Friends of Tuckmill organises regular working parties to ensure that the reserve isn't overwhelmed by invasive growth and so that a wide diversity of flora and fauna can thrive. See how you can join in!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY OUT SCYTHING OR RAKING?
Friends of Tuckmill organises regular working parties to ensure that the reserve isn't overwhelmed by invasive growth and so that a wide diversity of flora and fauna can thrive. See how you can join in!
"It's hard work but fun and very rewarding."
Click here to find out what it's like being a volunteer raker at a Tuckmill working party
WILDLIFE
BAT SURVEY OF TUCKMILL
A Tuckmill volunteer has carried out a bat survey of the site using an echo meter. Read his report identifying two types of pipistrelle; a brown long-eared bat; a noctule and possibly the rare barbastelle that is known to hunt in parts of Wiltshire.
BAT SURVEY OF TUCKMILL
A Tuckmill volunteer has carried out a bat survey of the site using an echo meter. Read his report identifying two types of pipistrelle; a brown long-eared bat; a noctule and possibly the rare barbastelle that is known to hunt in parts of Wiltshire.
WILDLIFE
DISCOVER SOME OF TUCKMILL'S MAMMALS AND BIRDS
Mammals including badgers, moles, foxes, muntjacs and other deers; and birds such as reed warblers and the lesser whitethroat have been seen at Tuckmill. See videos of badgers as well as evidence of them clearing out their bedding.
DISCOVER SOME OF TUCKMILL'S MAMMALS AND BIRDS
Mammals including badgers, moles, foxes, muntjacs and other deers; and birds such as reed warblers and the lesser whitethroat have been seen at Tuckmill. See videos of badgers as well as evidence of them clearing out their bedding.
WILDLIFE
ANTS
Tuckmill's diverse flora gives rise to many thousands of insects with many rare species of note.
ANTS
Tuckmill's diverse flora gives rise to many thousands of insects with many rare species of note.
ABOUT
WHAT IS A TUCKING MILL?
Have you ever wondered how Tuckmill got its name? During 'lockdown' Shrivenham Heritage Society produced a mini-presentation series including a great article by Neil Maw about the history of Tuckmill Farm, just over the parish boundary into Watchfield, which gives our nature reserve its name.
WHAT IS A TUCKING MILL?
Have you ever wondered how Tuckmill got its name? During 'lockdown' Shrivenham Heritage Society produced a mini-presentation series including a great article by Neil Maw about the history of Tuckmill Farm, just over the parish boundary into Watchfield, which gives our nature reserve its name.
EXPLORE
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VISIT
Tuckmill nature reserve is between the villages of Shrivenham and Watchfield, just south of the A420. It is approximately 9 miles from Swindon and 24 miles from Oxford. Click to find directions, see maps and prepare for your visit!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VISIT
Tuckmill nature reserve is between the villages of Shrivenham and Watchfield, just south of the A420. It is approximately 9 miles from Swindon and 24 miles from Oxford. Click to find directions, see maps and prepare for your visit!
"Tuckmill Meadows contains an exquisite combination of streamside fen, meadow, woodland, hedgerows and flora-rich limestone grassland."
Oxford Conservation Volunteers
PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH
Enjoy your visit and please contact us if you would like to support Tuckmill with a donation, by joining a working party or helping behind the scenes. Or you could take a photo from one of our picture posts so we can track the reserve through the seasons. Keeping in touch is easy: click below for our free quarterly newsletter!
Enjoy your visit and please contact us if you would like to support Tuckmill with a donation, by joining a working party or helping behind the scenes. Or you could take a photo from one of our picture posts so we can track the reserve through the seasons. Keeping in touch is easy: click below for our free quarterly newsletter!
Friends of Tuckmill was established in October 2021 to work with the owners of the site, the Vale of White Horse District Council, to help restore the reserve after a period of about four years when it was largely neglected. Click here to find out what management and restoration of Tuckmill is being carried out and here for how you can support Friends of Tuckmill.